Tilting dump truck with tilting dump trailer



July 6, 1965 A. HRIBAR, JR

TILTING DUMP TRUCK WITH TILTING DUMP TRAILER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 23, 1962 JNVENTOR. LEO A. HRIBAR JR.

v\\ :1 a: i A w w we, tum-77% 1965 A. HIRIBAR, JR 7 3,193,329

TILTING DUMP TRUCK WITH TILIING DUMP TRAILER Filed April 25, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. LEO A. HRIBAR JR.

BY M, waif)? y 6, 1965 1.. A. HRIBAR, JR 3,193,329

' TILTING DUMP TRUCK WITH TILTING DUMP TRAILER Filed April 23, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. LEO A. HRIBAR JR.

Arformevs United States Patent 3,193,329 TILTING DUMP TRUCK WETH Til-TING DUMP TRAILER Leo A. Hribar, J12, Rte. 1, Box '70, (Ialedonia, Wis. Filed Apr. 23, 1962, Ser. No. 189,542 4 Claims. (Cl. 298-8) This invention relates to on-the-road equipment which is capable of transporting material at high speeds along the highways, and then dumping it at a desired location. This type of equipment is often used for hauling gravel or the like and then dumping it into stockpiles or spreading it over an area.

The axle loading on equipment of this. character is important because of the laws of the various states which are designed to prevent damage to the highways due to excessive and concentrated pressures thereon. From the truckers standpoint, it is desirable to be able to trans port the maximum allowable load not only with the most economical and inexpensive equipment, but also with equipment which (1) can be easily handled, particularly when backing up; (2) can reach locations that are restricted in ground area and/or overhead dimensions; and (3) is flexible in its operation and number and type of functions to be performed.

Accordingly, the present invention provides improved equipment of the above type which meets the legal requirements of many states and provides the desirable advantages and objects referred to.

More specifically, the present invention provides a dump truck-dump trailer combination wherein the weight is distributed to permit transport of the maximum allowable load, the combination can be readily backed up as a unit for dumping, it can discharge its load in restricted areas or in buildings of relatively low height, and the trailer can be quickly unhitched for certain types of unloading operations or left attached and simply jackknifed out of the way for other unloading operations such as stockpiling.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear hereinafter as this disclosure progresses, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a truck and dump-trailer combination in acordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the combination shown in FIGURE 1, but showing the trailer jackknifed out of the way and the truck body in the dump position;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the trailer dump body in t e elevated position;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view taken generally from line 4-4 in FIGURE 1 but on an enlarged scale and showing a rubber shock connection, certain parts being shown in section or broken away for clarity;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the adjustable spring connection in the traiier frame, and

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the trailer shown in FIG- URES l and 2, but on an enlarged scale, and showing the dump body in broken lines for clarity.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, a dump truck 1 is provided having a pair of front steerable wheels 2, a pair of rear, load carrying dual Wheels 3, and a forward pair of rear, load carrying duai wheels 4. The truck also includes a dump body 5 which is elevatable about its point of pivotal connection 6 to the truck frame by means of the single-acting cylinder 7 which is located between the truck frame and the dump body.

The improved dump trailer 10 includes a longitudinal and relatively long (in respect to the dump body 13 to be described) main and rigid frame 11 which is secured by its large eye 11a at its front end to the quick-detachable hitch 12 at the rear end of the truck frame. This hitch may in itself be of conventional character, such as, for example, a Western Unit air lock type of hitch which can be uncoupled in a fraction of a minute.

The rigid frame 11 is shown as comprised of a generally rectangular in plan, rear or body frame 111: and a forward tongue frame 110. These frames 11b and may be formed as one rigid piece or alternatively as shown in the drawings these frames may be rigidly fastened to gether, but in addition may have resilient shocks lid and 11:2 therebetween and also an adjustable spring connection to be later described. In either event, it should be noted that the trailer frame 11 is rigid in that no vertical pivot axis is provided intermediate the length of the frame although pivoting about a horizontal axis may be provided.

The trailer also includes a dump body 13 which is pivoted at 14 to the frame 11. A single-acting cylinder 15 interposed between the frame 11 and the dump body 13 provides the necessary power to tilt the body for dumping thereof. More specifically, the lower end of the cylinder 15 is pivotally mounted in a forwardly and downwardly extending frame portion 11 through which the lower strut 11g extends and is adjustably and resiliently attached by the adjusting nut 11h threaded on the end of the strut and a spring 111 interposed between a shoulder 111' on the strut and the frame portion 11 The struts 11g, 11k, and 11L form frame 110 of a trianguiar pyramid shape. If any event, the frame 110 has laterally transversely spaced points of connection with the rear portion 11b and also has vertically spaced points of connection with frame 11b of the entire frame 11.

By so positioning the cylinder, it nests compactly beneath the dump body when the latter is lowered, and yet assumes a good leverage position (as shown in FIG- URES 1 and 3) when raising the dump body.

A fluid pressure conduit 16 conducts pressure fluid between a pump 17 located in the truck and cylinder 15 quick-connect coupling parts 16a and 16b (FIGURE 1) are provided to permit rapid breaking of the conduit 16 for trailer separation from the truck. The coupling parts are conventional, and part 16a is simply a female socket carried on the truck, while part 16b is a complementary male member.

Another cylinder 3 (FIGURE 3) operates the rear door 9 of the body but forms no part per se of the present invention.

If the rubber shocks and adjustable spring connection above mentioned are to be used, the tongue frame lie is capable of slight vertical movement relative to the body frame 11b to accommodate undulating terrain, although such is not always necessary. The nut can be adjusted to vertically swing the front end of the frame 110 to thereby accommodate trucks having hitch hooks of different heights from the ground. The spring forms a resilient cushion to permit vertical swinging of the tongue frame relative to the body frame 115.

The rubber shocks 11d and lie are formed as follows. The rear ends of upper struts 11k and 11L each have a pair of laterally projecting lugs 11m which are inserted in rubber collars or blocks 1111. These rubber blocks in turn are rigidly held in their brackets 11p, and the pairs of brackets are welded to the cross member 11s of frame 111).

A three-way transfer valve 13 located in the cab enables the operator to direct pressure fluid from the pump to either the cylinder 7 or the cylinder 15 to thereby dump, respectively, either the truck body 5 or the trailer body 13. The dump bodies are returned to their normal position by gravity.

p the maximum, practical length of a unit made in accordance with the present invention, as will more fully appear. The dump trailer also includes two pairs and 21 of load supporting dual wheels, and it should be noted that these pairs are closely coupled together in a longitudinal direction. In this respect, it has been found most advantageous to maintain a front and rear spread between these pairs of wheels in the neighborhood of 4 feet between centers. A greater spread, on the order of 6 feet, could be utilized, but in order to prevent excessive wear on the tires, a short spread'is desirable. In other words, as these wheels are of the non-steerable type, when making a turn less sliding of the rubber on the ground results if the wheels are closely coupled together. The wheels may befastened to the trailer body by conventional leaf spring means 22.

As previously'indicated, the dump trailer wheels of the present invention are of the non-steerable type, and with this arrangement the trailer can be easily backed up and more positively controlled. This case of control is furthermore possible because of the fact that the long frame 11 is a single, laterally rigid unit, and the dump body frame is not pivoted independently relative to the tongue frame 11, in a horizontal direction. That is to say,

no horizontal swinging takes place between the parts of the trailer frame. The load supporting wheels 20 and 21 are located directly and generaly centrally under the dump body 13. 7

understood that they are offered by way of example only, i

and a complete summary thereof would not serve any useful purpose as far as this disclosure is concerned.

Certain state laws require a distance of feet between the wheels 4 of the truck and the wheels 20 of the trailer in order that a maximum load of 64,000 lbs. can be carried by the combined unit. If this distance is diminished by one foot, the maximum load allowable would be reduced by 800 lbs.

Additionally, certain state laws require a distance between the truck body 5 and the forward edge of the frame are commonly referred to as the Bridge Laws and vary somewhat from state to state.

' In View of the above requirements, the present arrangement has been provided wherein a relatively short' (as compared to the frame 11) dump body is pivotally positioned on a laterally rigid trailer frame and two pairs of non-steerable, load supporting wheels are located di rectly under the dump body. The result is a length of approximately 30 feet between the front set of rear Wheels 4 of the truck and the rear pair of wheels 20 of the trailer body, and a considerably long frame is provided between the dump body of the truck and the dump body ofthe trailer. Stated otherwise, a considerable distance is provided between the dump bodies. 7 V l It will'be noted that the distance between the dump bodies 5 and 13 is greater than the length of the dump body 13. In other words, the length of dump body 13 is not more than one-half the length of the entire trailer 7 frame.

With the above arrangement, a combination trucktrailer is provided which can carry the maximum allowable load and because of the rigid trailer frame and non steerable wheels the trailer can be readily backed up and easily controlled while doing so. This permits the operator to rapidly deliver the trailer to the area at which the load is to be dumped. When the trailerhas been so positioned, the operator elevates the trailer body 13 and dumps the load, as shown in FIGURE 1. Then, in order to empty the dump body 5 of the truck in the same location, it is only necessary for the operator to pull the trailer forwardly a distance, again reverse the truck, but this time simultaneously'jackkniflng the trailer out of the way (as shown in FIGURE 2), .while the truck itself moves into the dump area. By means of the, relatively long tongue frame, in comparison to the trailer body 10, the trailer is swung a considerable distance to one side, that is, through a considerable arc of swing, and thereby facilitatesjackknifing of the trailer and backing of the truck without sidewise-movement or skidding of the trailer occurring, and also there is no interference between the trailer body and the rear end of the truck. Thus, it is unport wheels 2% and 21 do not pivot but instead are nonsteerable.

Furthermore, in order for them to be HOB? steerable, from a practical standpoint, they are closely cou'pledtogether with a minimum amount of spread and are located directly. under the weight imposed by the loaded trailer.

If space requirements prevent jackknifing of the trailer in order to dump the truck, it is an easy matter to quickly disconnect the trailer after it has been emptied and pulled fromrthe dump site, and then back the truck itself into the dumping area. 'All of this can be accomplished in a very short time.

During a spreading operation, as contrasted from stockpiling, it is unnecessary to disconnect the trailer. Instead, the trailer can be pulled along slowly in' the elevated position to lay down or spread the gravel or the like, and when that supply is exhausted, the dump body of the truck is elevated 'to likewise perform a spreading function. In the latter instance, the trailer is simply trailed behind the truck and is pulled over the material being laid down by the truck.

This stockpiling or spreading can also be accomplished within a building of relatively low height, and this is possible because both the truck body and the trailer body are of relatively short length. By having a relatively short length trailer, not only can dumping be performed within a low building, but lateral stability is no problem, as it would be in the case of a longer trailer. In other words, it has been proposed to dump from a semi-trailer type of tractor-trailer equipment, but this has proved unsatisfactory, because in order to provide a unit capable of carrying the maximum allowable. load, it would be necessary to have a trailer of considerable length, due

to the wheel spacing requirements. When such a trailer is in the elevated position, it'is not laterally stable and also requires excessive overhead clearance in order to perform the dumping operation.

With the present arrangement, including the long and rigid. trailer frame and the short trailer dump body, a truck-trailer combination hasbeen provided which is capable of carrying the maximum load allowable, and the trailercan be readily backed up and controlled, by the truck operator because of the rigid frame and the nonsteerable supporting wheels. The relatively short dump body of the trailer insures lateral stability when dumping, provides the ability to dump in a restricted height situation, and also insures sufficient clearance between the truck body and the trailer dump body so as to comply with distance requirements of the various states.

The operator can dump either the truck body or the trailer body from his position in the cab, and when stockpiling it is unnecessary to unhitch the trailer in order to dump both of the bodies in the same location.

A highly flexible and easily handled combination has been provided which is economical to produce and capaole of efficiently performing the functions for which it was designed.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

-1. On-the-road hauling and dumping apparatus comprising in combination, a tractive truck having a dump body pivoted at its rear end to said truck for dumping rearwardly of said truck, a dump trailer including an elongated and laterally rigid main frame having a front end and a rear end, said main frame including a tongue frame which converges in both height and width toward said front end to terminate in a narrow front end, means forming a detachable and pivoted connection between the rear end of said truck and said front end of said frame, a dump body pivotally connected to said main frame adjacent the rear end thereof for dumping rearwardly of said trailer, the distance between said dump bodies being greater than the length of said trailer dump body, and non-steerable and resiliently mounted wheels centered in a front and rear direction under said trailer dump body and supporting said main frame.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said tongue frame includes vertically and laterally spaced struts which converge forwardly into a narrow front end for attachment to said truck whereby dumping of said truck body is substantially unobstructed by said tongue frame.

3. On-the-road hauling and dumping apparatus comprising in combination, a tractive truck having a dump body pivoted at its rear end to said truck for dumping rearwardly of said truck, a dump trailer including an elongated and laterally rigid main frame having a front end and a rear end, said main frame including a tongue frame which converges in both height and width toward said front end to terminate in a narrow front end, means forming a detachable and pivoted connection between the rear end of said truck and said front end of said frame, a dump body pivotally connected to said main frame adjacent the rear end thereof for dumping rearwardly of said trailer, the length of said tongue frame being greater than the length of said trailer body, and non-steerable and resiliently mounted wheels centered in a front and rear direction under said trailer dump body and supporting said main frame.

The combination as defined in claim 3 further characterized in that said tongue frame includes vertically and laterally spaced struts which converge forwardly into a narrow front end for attachment to said truck whereby dumping of said truck body is substantially unobstructed by said tongue frame.

References fitted by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,546,261 7/25 Spencer 298-8 1,840,435 1/32 Davis 280-189 2,131,326 9/38 Kaster 298-20 X 2,199,470 5/40 Taylor 213-224 2,452,710 11/48 Allen 280-489 2,469,199 5/49 Lewis 298-8 2,496,350 2/50 Lundrell 298-21 2,718,431 9/55 Pietroroia 298-22 2,770,490 11/56 Hockensmith 298-8 2,872,208 2/59 Bennett et al. 280-489 X 2,872,211 2/59 Barrett. 2,892,659 6/59 Francois 298-22 2,997,342 8/61 Talbert 298-1 X 3,001,825 9/61 Rouse 298-8 3,083,058 3/ 63 Walstrom et a1 298-5 FOREIGN PATENTS 872,010 of 1953 Germany. 188,308 of 1923 Great Britain.

ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner. LEO QUACKENBUSH, JAMES S. SHANK Examiners. 

1. ON-THE-ROAD HAULING AND DUMPING APPARATUS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A TRACTIVE TRUCK HAVING A DUMP BODY PIVOTED AT ITS EAR END TO SAID TRUCK FOR DUMPING REARWARDLY OF SAID TRUCK, A DUMP TRAILER INCLUDING AN ELONGATED AND LATERALLY RIGID MAIN FRAME HAVING A FRONT END AND A REAR END, SAID MAIN FRAME INCLUDING A TONGUE FRAME WHICH CONVERGES IN BOTH HEIGHT AND WIDTH TOWARD SAID FRONT END TO TERMINATE IN A NARROW FRONT END, MEANS FORMING A DETACHABLE IN A NARROW FRONT END, MEANS THE REAR END OF SAID TRUCK AND SAID FRONT END OF SAID FRAME, A DUMP BODY PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID MAIN FRAME ADJACENT THE REAR END THEREOF FOR DUMPING REARWARDLY OF SAID TRAILER, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID DUMP BODIES BEING GREATER THAN THE LENGTH OF SAID TRAILER DUMP BODY, AND NON-STEERABLE AND RESILIENTLY MOUNTED WHEELS CENTERED IN A FRONT AND REAR DIRECTION UNDER SAID TRAILER DUMP BODY AND SUPPORTING SAID MAIN FRAME. 